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series Reading Order

Country Club Murders Books in Order

21 Books
2015 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start the Country Club Murders

If you want to experience Ellison Russell's evolution from a reluctant, unhappily married socialite to a sharp-witted amateur sleuth, you should start with the very first novel, The Deep End. It sets up the core cast, the 1970s Kansas City backdrop, and the recurring romantic tension with Detective Anarchy Jones.

Recommended Reading Order: Publication vs. Chronological

While the main novels follow a linear timeline, Julie Mulhern has released several novellas and short stories out of publication order that fit elsewhere chronologically. You can read the series in two ways:

Option 1: The Chronological Path (Recommended)

Reading chronologically keeps the timeline of Ellison’s personal life and relationship milestones perfectly in order. Here is the chronological path:

  1. The Deep End (Book 1 - 2015)
  2. Only the Good Die Young (Book 1.5 - Novella, 2023)
  3. Guaranteed to Bleed (Book 2 - 2015)
  4. Clouds in My Coffee (Book 3 - 2016)
  5. Send in the Clowns (Book 4 - 2016)
  6. Watching the Detectives (Book 5 - 2017)
  7. Cold as Ice (Book 6 - 2017)
  8. Diamond Girl (Book 6.5 - Short story focusing on Aggie DeLucci, 2018)
  9. Shadow Dancing (Book 7 - 2018)
  10. Back Stabbers (Book 8 - 2018)
  11. Telephone Line (Book 9 - 2019)
  12. Stayin' Alive (Book 10 - 2020)
  13. Killer Queen (Book 11 - 2020)
  14. Night Moves (Book 12 - 2021)
  15. Lyin' Eyes (Book 13 - 2021)
  16. Evil Woman (Book 14 - 2022)
  17. Big Shot (Book 15 - 2022)
  18. Fire and Rain (Book 16 - 2023)
  19. Killing Me Softly (Book 17 - 2023)
  20. Back in Black (Book 18 - 2024)
  21. Somewhere in the Night (Book 18.5 - Thanksgiving Novella, 2024)
  22. Tight Rope (Book 19 - 2025)
  23. Bad Blood (Book 20 - 2025)
  24. Rich Girl (Novella centering on Libba - 2026)
  25. Evil Ways (Book 21 - 2026)

Option 2: The Publication Path

If you prefer to follow how the books were originally released, you will read the main novels in order and pick up the prequels and novellas as they came out. The publication order for the key milestones is as follows:

  • Books 1 to 6 (2015–2017)
  • Diamond Girl (2018 short story)
  • Books 7 to 17 (2018–2023)
  • Only the Good Die Young (2023 novella)
  • Killing Me Softly (2023)
  • Back in Black (2024)
  • Somewhere in the Night (2024 Thanksgiving novella)
  • Tight Rope (2025)
  • Bad Blood (2025)
  • Rich Girl (2026 novella)
  • Evil Ways (2026)

Subseries, Spin-offs, and Universe Connections

The Country Club Murders series does not have any active spin-offs or co-authored installments. It remains entirely written by Julie Mulhern. However, if you enjoy the witty, fast-paced cozy mystery style of Ellison's adventures, the author has written other series set in different eras:

  • Poppy Fields Adventures: A modern cozy series featuring a Hollywood socialite sleuth.
  • The 1920s Historical Mysteries: Starting with Murder in Manhattan, this series offers a jazz-age setting with similar snappy dialogue and clever mysteries.

Frequently Asked

QDo you need to read the Country Club Murders in order?

Yes, it is highly recommended. While each book features a standalone mystery that is resolved by the end, Ellison Russell’s personal relationships, family dynamics, and romantic development with Anarchy Jones progress significantly across the series.

QWhere is the Country Club Murders series set?

The series is set in 1970s Kansas City, Missouri. The books feature local landmarks like the Country Club Plaza and Winstead's, giving the series a strong sense of place and retro charm.

QWhat is the chronological position of 'Only the Good Die Young'?

Although published in 2023, Only the Good Die Young is officially Book 1.5 and should be read chronologically between The Deep End (Book 1) and Guaranteed to Bleed (Book 2).

QWho is the main protagonist of the series?

The series follows Ellison Russell, an artist and socialite living in Kansas City who frequently stumbles onto murder scenes and works to clear her name or help the police.

QAre there any spin-offs to the Country Club Murders?

No. There are no direct character spin-offs or crossovers. However, fans of Julie Mulhern's writing style will also enjoy her Poppy Fields Adventures or her 1920s Historical Mysteries series.

QWhen does the novella 'Rich Girl' take place?

Rich Girl is a novella released in 2026 that focuses on Ellison's friend Libba, taking place chronologically between Bad Blood (Book 20) and Evil Ways (Book 21).